Automatic starter unit



Dec. 19, 1950 .R. L. APPLETON AUTOMATIC STARTER UNIT Filed Feb, 23, 1949 FIG. 1 v

FIG. 2.

INVEN TOR.

L- APPLETON mcHARD' Afforngy Patented Dec. 19, 1950 2,535,007 AUTOMATIC STARTER- UNIT Richard L. Appleton, Akron, Ohio, assignor of one-third to Homer U. Montgomery and onethird to Edward L. Rowland, Akron, Ohio Application February 23, 1949, Serial No. 77,829

7 Claims.

This invention relates to self-perpetuating starting systems for internal combustion engines, such as for automotive vehicles.

In the past various attempts have been made to provide automotive vehicles with starting systhe engine should the same become stalled. Some of the prior art devices were operated to restart the engine after it had completely stalled and therefore full power of the starter motor was required to restart the engine. Some were also of such construction that proper adjustment and operation were materially afiected bywear, varying weather conditions, or b other conditions.

One object of the present invention is to provide a starting system for internal combustion.

engines, which is self-perpetuating and substantially fool-proof to keep the engine running constantly, at all times while the ignition system for starting system of the character described which has little or no mechanicallymovable parts to become out of adjustment due to frictional wear or because of varying weather conditions.

These'and other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following brief description and the accompanying drawings.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1' is a composite View, illustrating in perspective a unit of the system containing electromagnetic switches or relays, and in elevation a solenoid,- the electromagnetic switch unit being partly broken away.

Figure 2 is a wiring diagram illustrating the system in connection with a starting motor, gen- 'erator, and battery of an automotive vehicle engine, for example.

Referring particularly to Figure 2 of the drawing, the letter M indicates a starter motor for starting acombustion-type engine it of an automotive vehicle for example, the'motor being connected 'from opposite sides thereof, in a motor circuit A, through leads l I and ii. to a battery I3 of the type also usually provided in vehicles. Included in lead H is a switch S1, which in inoperative condition of the starting system is open,

.tems which ostensibly were intended to restart and which is adapted to be closed by energization of a solenoid 01 associated therewith. Switch S1 and solenoid C1 combined may constitute a solenoid-type relay having, as an example, a 100 amp. rating on points. Closing of switch S1 to the battery is effective to operatemotor M to start the combustion engine (not shown), somewhat in the conventional manner. A generator G is operated to generate electricity in known manner by op'-- eration of the combustion engine, this generator being of the type used for a vehicle ignition and lighting system, for charging the battery, etc.

While a manually operable switch it may be connected between lead l2 and coil C1 for closing the starting-motor switch S1, improved means is provided herein for automatically operating motor M long enough to start the vehicle engine, and for perpetually keepingthe engine running as long as the ignition switch I I is closed in normal operation of the engine. Accordingly, ignition switch H, which may be of known type adapted to be closed by turning a key, is connected in a starting circuit B in series with a starting switch S2 and a holding-switch electromagnet C3, said starting circuit being connected in parallel with the motor circuit A to battery l3. The electromagnet C3 is arranged so that when energized it will close a holding switch S3 which is connected in series with solenoid C1 in a holding circuit C to battery l3, in parallelism with circuits A and B. That is, closing switch S3 is elTective through operation of solenoid C1 to close switch S1 and thereby operate the starting motor M. An independent holding circuit D, deriving power from residual current inducedin generator M has leads l8 and is extending to opposite sides of the starting switch electromagnet C2, whereby as soon as the motor M has been initiallyoperated sufiiciently to start the engine, residual current generated in generator Gwill energize starting-switch electromagnet C2 to open starting-switch S2 (see dotted lines in Figure 2), coil C3 will be deenergized to open the holding switch S3, which in turn will deenergize solenoid C1 and open the motor switch 81. Thus, as long as the combustion engine is not completely stalled, or is operating at a speed somewhat short of being stalled or above that speed, and current is accordingly flowing in holding circuit 1), solenoidoperated switch S1 will be open and the motor will be in inoperative condition.

The electromagnets C2 and C3, with the cooperating switches S2 and S3 thereof, respectively, are in the nature of simple electromagnetic relays 2i and 22 of low amperage (say 2 or 3 engine in running Lorder.

"2 w amps.) which relays may be provided as a single encased unit 23, as shown in Figure 1. As many automotive vehicles are equipped with a suitable starting motor solenoid type relay, it may in some instances be possible to provide the abovedescribed self-perpetuating starter system therein by the simple expedient of installin the encased unit 23 and wiring the same .as shown in Figure 2.

In use of the starting mechanism described above, for continuous operation of the combustion engine of an automotive vehicle (not shown) the engine is initially started by the operator manually closing the ignition switch 11, as by means of the usual key, and :thereby through starting switch S2 energizing the holding-switch electromagnet 03, which in turn closes the holding-switch S3. This, through holding circuit C energizes solenoid C1 therein, receiving current .-from-the battery l3, to closemotor switchzsnand thereby-operate the motor M in circuit A from battery 13, which starts said combustion engine inknown-manner. As soonas the engineis thus started it will generate sufficient current in the generator G to supply residual current in the --independent generator circuit D, thereby enerlgizing COil'Cz to open starting-switch S2 in the starting circuit B. As long as there is residual current from the generator in-circuitD the coil (12 will hold the switch S2 open in the manner described :and theholding electromagnet =C3 will lie-maintained in deenergizedccondition .to .maintain the switch S3 open, the coil 61 deenergized, and the switch S1 .open.

"Correspondingly, if at .any time while the ignition switch I1 is closed the combustion engine attempts'to stall, or operate atiaspeed sufficiently below idling speed, that the generatoroperated by the 'engine will have insufficient residual chargetoenergize the cOi1'C2, the-starting-switch 52 will automatically close :circuit 3, energize -holdi'ngicoil C3 to close switch S3 in the holding circuit, and thereby through energization of solenoid 61 close .the switch: S1 to :operate start- ;ing motor Mforlstartinglthe .combustionzengine, F

-as-befre. Thus, it will be seen that at all times 'while the ignition switch -l.! .is closed the system is self-perpetuating to maintain the combustion It will be observedalso thatbecausethe system doesinot permit thecombustiontengineto become completely stalled, that is, i-talwaysmestartskthe engine while it is .still turning over, .and because the forward momen- .tum of certain parts of the engine is utilized in restartingyno high current-surge is drawnfrom the batteryby the starting imotor as would be I the casewherethestartingimotorlis operated to start the combustion engine -.from a condition of rest thereof.

The system described above, while extremely simple, not only allows for maximum economy in use of the battery for restarting but is effec- Ftiveto keep the combustion engine in a continuous condition of operation in forward direction,

at all times whilethe ignition switch- H is closed.

; gine, battery means, and a I normally open. magnetically-operatedimotor switch in a motor-cir- "cuit, motor switch electro-ma'gnetic means for 4 operating said motor switch, a holding switch and a starting switch, said holding and starting switches each having electro-magnetic means for operating the same, a master switch, a generator operated by operation of said engine, a holding circuit having therein said motor switch electro-magnetic means :and said holding switch,

"a starting circuit in parallelism with said motor circuit and having therein said holding-switch electro-magnetic means said starting switch and said master switch, and a generator circuit adapted to be electrically charged by the generator upon operation thereof by said engine, said generator circuit having therein said starting switch electro-magnetic means, whereby closing said master switch is initially effective through said starting switch to energize said holdingswitch electromagnetic means and by energizing said motor electro-magnetic means said motor switch for starting said motor, and whereby so long as said generator circuit is electrically charged by operation oi the generator said starting switch will be held open by energization of the electroemagnetic ,means thereof and said holding andmotor switches will be correspondingly opened by the respective electro-magnetic means thereof, .the starting cycle of operation being self-operativelyrepeated as often as the generator charge ,is diminished a predetermined :amount (and the master switch isclosed.

2. ,A self-perpetuating stall-proof electrical starting system for internal combustion engines, comprising a-starter motor ifOl starting the :-en gine, battery means iandza :normally open ,magnetically operated motor switch in a motor circuit, motor switch :electrmmagnetic :means fOY operating said motor switch, a normally -,o pen holding switch and "a normally :closed starting switch, said holding :and starting switches each having electromagnetic means for operating the "same, :a manually "operable switch, a generator "operatedlby operation ofsaidQengine, a,-holding circuit having therein :said motor-switch electromagnetic means'and I saidhdlding-switch, ,a; starting circuit having therein said holdin -switch electro-magnetic means Lsaidsstartingiswitchnnd said manually operated :switch, :and a .g,enerator circuit adapted to be electrically charged rby the generator uponoperation thereof .byisaid engine,

said generator circuit 1 having therein :said starting switch electro-niagnetic means, "whereby closing said manually v operable switch:is {initially effective through said normally closed :startin switch to energize said holding-switch lectromagnetic means =an'd by energizing said motor electromagnetic means closing said'umotor "switch for starting said motor, and whereby TSOEIOIIE'MS said generator circuit is electrically charged "by operation of the generator said starting switch will be held open by energization Ofthe electromagnetic means thereofand said holding :and motor switcheswill'be opened by deenergization of the respective electro-magnetic means thereof, the starting cycle of operationibeing'self-operatively repeated as often as the generator charge is diminished a predetermined amount and the manually operated'switc'h isclosed.

'3. A slf-perpetuating stall-proof electrical starting system forinternal combustion engines,

comprising a starter'motor for starting the engine, battery means an'dra normally 'open :ma "rnetically operated motor switch infia motor fcircuit, motor "switch 'r'z'lectro *magnetic means H01 for operating the same, a manually operable switch, a generator operated by operation of said engine, a holding circuit in parallelism with said motor circuit and having therein said motor electro-magnetic means and said holding-switch, a starting circuit in parallelism with said motor circuit and having therein said holding switch electro-magnetic means said start ing-switch and said manually operable switch, and a generator circuit adapted to be electrically charged by the generator upon operation thereof by said engine, said generator circuit having therein said starting-switch electro-magnetic means, whereby closing said manually operable switch is initially effective through said starting switch to energize said holding-switch electro-magnetic means and by energizing said motor electromagnetic means closing said motor switch for starting said motor, and whereby so long as said generator circuit is electrically charged by operation of the generator said starting switch will be held open by energization of the electromagnetic means thereof and said holding and motor switches will be correspondingly opened by the respective electro-magnetic means thereof, the starting cycle of operation being self-operatively repeated as often as the generator charge is diminished a predetermined amount and the manually operated switch is closed.

4. A self-perpetuating stall-proof electrical starting system for internal combustion engines, comprising a starter motor for starting the engine, battery means and a normally open magnetically operated motor switch in a motor circuit, motor switch electro-magnetic means for operating said motor switch, a normally open holding switch and a normally closed starting switch, said holding and starting switches each having electro-magnetic means for operating the same, a manually operable switch, a generator operated by operation of said engine, a holding circuit in parallelism with said motor circuit and-having in series therein said motor electromagnetic means and said holding switch, a starting circuit in parallelism with said motor circuit and havingin series therein said holding-switch electromagnetic means said starting switch and said manually operated switch, and a generator circuit adapted to be electrically charged by the generator upon operation thereby by said engine, said generator circuit having therein said starting-switch electro-magnetic means, whereby closingsaid manually operable switch is initially effective through said normally closed starting switch to energize said holding-switch electro-magnetic means and by energizing'said motor electro-magnetic means closing said motor switch for starting said motor, and whereby so long as said generator circuit is electrically charged by operation of the generator said starting switch will be held open by energization of the electro-magnetic means thereof and said holding and motor switches will be opened by deenergization of the respective electro-magnetic means thereof, the starting cycle of operation being self-operatively repeated'as often as the generator charge is diminished a predetermined amount and the manually operated switch is closed.

5. A self-perpetuating stall-proof electrical starting system for internal combustion engines, comprising a starter motor for starting the engine, battery means and a normally open magnetically operated motor switch in a motor circuit, motor switch electro-magnetic means for operating said motor switch, a normally open holding switch and a normally closed starting switch, said holding and starting switches each having electro-magnetic means for operating the same, a manually operable switch, a generator operated by operation of said engine, a holding circuit in parallelism with said motor circuit and having therein said motor electro-magnetic means and said holding switch, a starting circuit in parallelism with said motor circuit and having therein said holding switch electro-magnetic means said starting switch and said manually operated switch, and a generator circuit adapted to be electrically charged by the generator upon operation thereof by said engine, said generator circuit having therein said starting switch electro-magnetic means, whereby closing said manually operable switch is initially effective through said normally closed starting switch to energize said holding-switch electromagnetic means and by energizing said motor electro-magnetic means closing said motor switch for starting said motor, and whereby so long as said generator circuit is electrically charged by-operation of the generator said starting switch will be held open by energization of the electro-magnetic means thereof and said holding and motor switches will be opened by deenergization of the respective electro-magnetic means thereof, the starting cycle of operation being self-operatively repeated as often as the generator charge is diminshed a predetermined amount and. the manually operated switch is closed.

6. A mechanism as set forth in claim 5, said motor switch electro-magnetic means including a solenoid, and said holding and starting switch electro-magnetic means including electro-magnets.

7. A mechanism as set forth in claim 5, including selectively operable switch means connected in series with said motor switch electromagnetic means directly to said battery, for closing said motor switch to operate the motor without going through said starter and holding circuits.

RICHARD L. APPLETON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

